Beer – #982 – Thornbridge – Raindrops On Roses

Thornbridge Raindrops On Roses – a Witbeer. Made with Rose Petals. Could then remind me of an old ladies linen draw, or rest home perfume. Could of course be a stunner. An unusual beer to find in New Zealand, or just and unusual beer. It might just be One Step Beyond, which by no small coincidence is the album of music I’m listening to on the vinyl machine.

Pouring hazy gold, the beer has an aroma of rose, lemon, chamomile and coriander.

The taste is tart and slightly fruity, with a silky mouthful that culminates in a kiss of hops

So, What could possibly go wrong?

The aroma is lovely, it is soft rose petals, very summery.

Pour is lovely crisp clean clear, it looked like a cider looks, the hazes somewhat and becomes a lovely hazed up yellow golden beer with a brilliance of a white head, almost too good to drink.

Aroma is a fruity thing, with a hint of peppery in there.

To the taste …. well the aroma and looks are brilliant. The taste is somewhat stranger and more difficult, it’s harsher and not as soft as the aroma hints at with a sharp dryness.

Which is odd. I left it for a bit just to settle and sit, and the aroma remains strong, and in the glass i begins to assert itself more in the drinking, which is pleasant, and surprisingly nice.

The rose infusion is subtle and yet persistent and keeps this been on an even keel and that harsher sub note at bay.

A beer that reminds me that summer is indeed coming and there’s much to look forward to.

I though this beer would be One Step Beyond, but both the music and beer would get me up dancing.

As nice as it is though, there is still that underlying woodiness in this, and that’s at odds with the style really and doesn’t seem to have a place, lucky the aroma and the infusion is enough of a distraction. I’d also think that this on tap or in a larger bottle would be hard work and it seems the right amount to have in one go. Not that I wouldn’t have another, it’s quite nice.

The pdubyah-o-meter rates this as 8of its things from the thing. It’s a nice change to have a beer that is infused with something familiar, even if it’s a bit odd and unusual, but it does bring a sense of summer gardens and hot afternoons with it, and it stays even, the aroma enticing and the flavour sweet and soft enough to carry the harsher note that this sits on. Nice on a wet afternoon when you’re looking forward to the sunshine.

Would I share with a friend on a porch and set the world to rights? Yes, it’s al lovely afternoon beer, summery light and a nice drinking beer.

Music for this: One Step Beyond by Madness on Spotify or in my case on Vinyl.

One Step Beyond . . . is the 1979 debut album by the British ska-pop group Madness.

Witbier

A Belgian Style ale that’s very pale and cloudy in appearance due to it being unfiltered and the high level of wheat, and sometimes oats, that’s used in the mash. Always spiced, generally with coriander, orange peel and other oddball spices or herbs in the back ground. The crispness and slight twang comes from the wheat and the lively level of carbonation. This is one style that many brewers in the US have taken a liking to and have done a very good job of staying to style. Sometimes served with a lemon, but if you truly want to enjoy the untainted subtleties of this style you’ll ask for yours without one. Often referred to as “white beers” (witbieren) due to the cloudiness / yeast in suspension.

Golden to light amber in color, the body is light to medium. The wheat lends a crispness to the brew, often with some acidity. Some hop flavour maybe be present, but bitterness is low. Not as estery as German or Belgian-style wheats.